{smcl}
{* 02aug2011}{...}
{viewerdialog "shp2dta" "dialog shp2dta"}{...}
{vieweralsosee "[TS] sspace" "help sspace""}{...}
{viewerjumpto "Syntax" "shp2dta##syntax"}{...}
{viewerjumpto "Description" "shp2dtal##description"}{...}
{viewerjumpto "Options" "shp2dta##options"}{...}
{viewerjumpto "Examples" "shp2dta##examples"}{...}
{viewerjumpto "Author" "shp2dta##author"}{...}
{title:Title}

{p2colset 4 16 22 2}{...}
{p2col :{hi:shp2dta} {hline 2}}Converts shape boundary files to Stata datasets{p_end}
{p2colreset}{...}

{marker syntax}{...}
{title:Syntax}

{p 4 16 2}
{cmd :shp2dta} using {it:shpfilename}{cmd:,} {opt data:base(filename)}
{opt coor:dinates(filename)} [{it:options}]

{synoptset 25 tabbed}{...}
{synopthdr}
{synoptline}
{syntab :Main}
{synopt :{opt data:base(filename)}}Specifies filename of new dBase 
dataset{p_end}
{synopt :{opt coor:dinates(filename)}}Specifies filename of new coordinates 
dataset{p_end}
{synopt :{opt replace}}Overwrites existing database and coordinates 
filenames{p_end}
{synopt :{opt genc:entroids(stub)}}Creates centroid variables{p_end}
{synoptline}

{p2colreset}{...}
{p 4 6 2}
If {it:shpfilename} is specified without an extension, {cmd:.shp} 
is assumed.{p_end}
{p 4 6 2}
If {it:filename} is specified without an extension, {cmd:.dta} is assumed.
{p_end}
{p 4 6 2}
Windows and Macintosh users:  if {it:shpfilename} or {it:filename} contains
embedded spaces, remember to enclose them in double quotes.{p_end}


{marker description}{...}
{title:Description}

{pstd}
{cmd:shp2dta} reads a shape (.shp) and dBase (.dbf) file from disk and converts
them into Stata datasets.  The shape and dBase files must have the same name
and be saved in the same directory.  The user-written command {cmd:tmap} can
use the two datasets that {cmd:shp2dta} creates.  {cmd: shp2dta} can convert
only point, line, and polygon shapefiles (type 1, 3, and 5).


{marker options}{...}
{title:Options}

{dlgtab:Main}

{phang}{opt database(filename)} specifies the name of the new Stata dataset
to contain the .dbf file data.  This option is required.

{phang}{opt coordinates(filename)} specifies the name of the new Stata dataset
to contain the .shp file data.  This option is required.

{phang}{opt replace} overwrites any existing Stata dataset with the names
specified in the {opt database(filename)} and {opt coordinates(filename)} 
options.

{phang}{opt gencentroids(stub)} requests that the coordinates of the centroids 
of the geographical areas of interest be computed, stored in variables 
x_{it:stub} and y_{it:stub}, and added to file {it:database}.dta.  You must
also specify the {opt genid(newvarname)} option.


{marker examples}{...}
{title:Examples}

{pstd}
To demonstrate the use of {cmd:shp2dta} let's suppose we have two files,
{cmd:asia.dbf} and {cmd:asia.shp}, in our current working directory.  Two
convert these files to two Stata datasets we type:

	{cmd:. shp2dta using asia, data("asia_data") } {cmd:coor("asia_coordinates")}

{pstd}
In the current working directory we now have two files, {cmd:asia_data.dta} and
{cmd:asia_coordinates.dta}, that have the converted data.

{marker author}{...}
{title:Author}

{p 4} Kevin Crow {p_end}
{p 4} StataCorp L.P. {p_end}
{p 4} kcrow@stata.com {p_end}
